MIND MYSTERIES & CONTROL - 3. MIND, PRANA & KUNDALINI - Sri Swami Sivananda - The Mind: Its Mysteries & Control

THE MIND: ITS MYSTERIES AND CONTROL - Chapter 3. MIND, PRANA & KUNDALINI - Sri Swami Sivananda - Complete Works with FULL English Translation of all Sanskrit Words.

In Chapter 3 of The Mind: Its Mysteries and Control, Sri Swami Sivananda explores the interconnection between mind, prana (vital energy), and Kundalini, delving into how these vital forces interact to shape the nature of consciousness and spiritual development. He presents the concept of prana as the vital energy that supports and sustains the mind, and discusses the critical role of Kundalini awakening in attaining higher states of consciousness. 

Prana: The Outer Coat of the Mind
Prana is described as the life force or vital energy that permeates the body and the universe, sustaining all living beings. According to Sivananda, there are two principal essences in the universe—mind and prana—and wherever there is prana, the mind also exists. Prana acts as the outer covering or "coat" of the mind. It is the energy that fuels the brain and supports its cognitive and sensory functions. Without prana, the mind would cease to function. Prana vital energy is involved in the digestion and transformation of food, turning it into chyle and blood, which are sent to the brain. This allows the mind to think, reason, and engage in higher functions, such as the inquiry into the ultimate reality, Brahman, the Supreme Cosmic Spirit. The mind’s activities, therefore, depend on the presence of prana, and the flow of prana through the body influences the mental state and clarity of thought. Sivananda also highlights that prana is gross, while the mind is more subtle. The mind is formed from the pure essence of the five subtle elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether), while prana arises from the restless essence of these elements. The mind, therefore, is more subtle and intricate than prana, though both work together in a synergistic manner. 

The Vital Sheath and the Mental Sheath
Swami Sivananda further explains the relationship between the physical body, the vital sheath (the energy body), and the mental sheath (the mind-body). The physical body is the grossest aspect of our existence, while the vital sheath is more subtle and extends beyond the physical body. The mental sheath is even more subtle, encompassing the entirety of the mind. This subtlety allows the mental sheath to influence the physical and vital sheaths. An important point Sivananda makes is that prana is more subtle than the physical body and can influence others even without physical contact. For instance, one can influence another person by transmitting prana through a "pass" or through focused attention. Similarly, the mind can influence others, even from a distance, because the mind is more subtle than prana. This subtlety gives the mind a power that transcends physical boundaries. 

Inter-Dependence of Mind and Prana
Prana and the mind are interdependent—one supports and sustains the other. Sivananda draws an analogy between the flower and its fragrance, or the sesame seed and the oil inside it, to describe the relationship between the mind and prana. If either the mind or prana is destroyed, the other will cease to exist as well. The cessation of both will result in liberation (moksha), the ultimate state of freedom and unity with the Divine. When the mind becomes one-pointed and focused, prana naturally follows suit and becomes steady. If the mind is purified, prana will be freely distributed throughout the body, and all physical and mental functions will improve, including digestion and overall well-being. The key to controlling both mind and prana lies in purification and discipline. 

Mind, Prana, and Semen
Sivananda draws attention to the connection between the mind, prana, and semen, which he refers to as "virya." The control of any one of these three elements automatically influences and controls the other two. In the